“Ann-Lee Switzer discovered the stories in the BC Archives of the Royal BC Museum in Victoria. Five previously unpublished stories have been added to the collection first published in 2007. Nearly thirty of Carr’s original illustrations are also included.” Mary Ann Moore reviews This And That: The Lost Stories of Emily Carr (Revised and Updated) by Emily Carr, Ann-Lee Switzer (ed.) (Victoria: TouchWood Editions, 2024) $26 / 9781771514484
Probing account of representational ethics “is elucidating without ever being didactic and genuinely enjoyable to read,” yet prompts “more hope than outrage.”—Jessica Poon reviews Under the White Gaze: Solving the Problem of Race and Representation in Canadian Journalism, by Christopher Cheung (Vancouver: UBC Press/Purich Books, 2024) $24.95 / 9780774881111
“This is difficult to understand, considering the wealth of titles that New Star Books has produced over the course of just over a half-century.” Trevor Marc Hughes writes about the winding down of operations of accomplished BC publisher New Star Books.
“This book outlines these men’s actions, detailing the things some people then found to be positive, in terms of developing businesses and resource allocation. However, on their journey to success by method of coverup and coercion they have not only destroyed lives, but ways of living, culture, and human rights.” Jeffrey Stychin reviews When Heroes Become Villains: Helmcken, Trutch, Bowser, and the Streets, Lakes, and Towns Named After Them, by Jon Bartlett & Brian Robertson (Vancouver: New Star Books, 2024) $18 / 9781554202126
“It’s as if Catherine is trying to live vicariously through Michelle, and thus how devastating that Michelle’s life was cut short, leaving Catherine to wonder what it was for, was it all in vain? Was the mission to Afghanistan in vain?” Sheldon Goldfarb reviews Embedded: The Irreconcilable Nature of War, Loss and Consequence, by Catherine Lang (Qualicum Beach: Caitlin Press, 2024) $26 / 9781773861517
“There are about 115 hot springs mentioned in this book, some well-known and easy to access, others much visited but more of a trudge to get to (boat or plane needed), and some more recently discovered and worth the trek to visit. Most of the hot springs discussed in the book give the route to reach the place, fine photographs, and excellent primers and teasers in what will be seen when there.” Ron Dart reviews Hot Springs of Western Canada: A Complete Guide (4th edition) by Glenn Woodsworth & David Woodsworth (Madeira Park: Harbour Publishing, 2023) $26.95 / 9781990776441
“She loves the idea of motherhood, unconditional love, but the journey is harrowing, the gynecological/psychological equivalent of fingernails on blackboards, tearing the night sky apart. But, in the end, the blackboard embraces as it informs us that we are one in the many, stars burning bright.” Linda Rogers reviews Monsters, Martyrs, and Marionettes: essays on motherhood, by Adrienne Gruber (Toronto: Book*hug Press, 2024) $23 / 9781771669030
“Like many other books in this genre, Murray’s stories speak of the victimization of Indigenous people. But Murray is nobody’s victim and by his example others may heal themselves and their loved ones from intergenerational trauma, just as he had.” Richard Butler reviews Who We Are: Four Questions for a Life and a Nation by The Honourable Murray Sinclair CC, Mazina Giizhik (as told to Sara Sinclair and Niigaanwedom Sinclair), (Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 2024) $29.95 / 9780771099106
“With their offspring grown, they sought a new lifestyle and found it on Clayoquot’s Vargas Island during a kayaking trip (Clayoquot Sound is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve). Vargas lies northwest of Tofino, west of Meares Island and most of its territory is a Park Reserve.” Marianne Scott reviews Escape to Clayoquot Sound: Finding Home in a Wild Place, by John Dowd and Bea Dowd (Victoria: Heritage House, 2024) $34.95 / 9781772034714
“Given that Em’s bio tags her as a ‘chaotic wellness witch,’ I expected this book to be more witchy. There are no incantations, just the insight of a smart, irreverent human who has obviously done the work herself.” Petra Chambers reviews Shadow Work for Hot Messes: Transform from Chaos to Clarity by Embracing Your Authentic Self by Mandi Em (Toronto: Simon & Schuster, 2024) $24.99 / 9781507222997
“The result is: ‘a cacophony of birdsong, abundant other wildlife and a pleasant cool space for us to escape the summer sun.’ So, we are part of the equation of need. And if fish can’t live in a stream we don’t do as well ourselves.” DC Reid reviews Travels Up the Creek: a biologist’s search for a paddle, by Lorne Fitch (Victoria: Rocky Mountain Books, 2024) $25 / 9781771607131
Over the course of 18 questions, recent Writers’ Trust fiction prize winner Sheung-King discusses influences, ideal literary dinner companions, Sakamoto Ryūichi, autofiction, McDonald’s, Hong Kong, and QR codes.
—Interview by Jessica Poon.
“I would imagine this anthology as your new toolkit in a healthy pursuit towards your artistic natures. If anyone reading this is an artist at heart, I urge you to remember to think of the process as something you care about deeply.” Jeffrey Stychin reviews Bad Artist: Creating in a Productivity-Obsessed World by Nellwyn Lampert, Pamela Oakley, Christian Smith, Gillian Turnbull (eds.)(Victoria: TouchWood Editions, 2024) $24 / 9781990071256
“‘The response we get from these untamed companions is a gentle reminder to relax, drop our troubles, jettison the ego, and find our own better nature’ advises Bumann. Another way into the world of animals is to come up with names for them, and after awhile individuals will begin to respond to their names, even if they are in a herd of animals. Say their name and they will come to you.” DC Reid reviews Eavesdropping on Animals: What We Can Learn From Wildlife Conversations, by George Bumann (Vancouver: Greystone Books, 2024) $34 / 9781778400209
This memoir, a “whimsical look at the fall of the British Empire,” features anecdotes about the author’s assorted encounters with celebrities over the decades. —Valerie Green reviews Celebrities Who Have Met Me: A Child of the Lost Empire, by John D’Eathe (Vancouver: Adagio Media, 2024) $21.99 9781999433925
“With Farrant’s impeccable talent for language, her story is beautifully detailed…This story will bring back memories to all who remember being a teenager in Greater Victoria in the 1960s.” Valerie Green reviews My Turquoise Years: A Memoir (Twentieth Anniversary Edition), by M.A.C. Farrant (Vancouver: Talonbooks, 2024) $21.95 / 9781772016369
“It is the story of her survival expressed through her art, her poetry, and especially through the letters she writes to her grandson telling him stories of where his ancestors came from while hoping for a brighter future for him.” Valerie Green reviews Dear Arlo: letters to my grandson
by Olga Campbell (Vancouver: Jubaji Press, 2024) $21 / 9789981291130)
“So perhaps it’s not surprising that there is no chapter on the Pacific Province. Oh, there is plenty here on the ‘West,’ but in Globe geography the West stopped at the Rockies.” Ron Verzuh reviews A Nation’s Paper: The Globe and Mail in the Life of Canada, by John Ibbitson [ed.] (Toronto: Penguin Random House [Signal], 2024) $34 / 9780771006289
“At first, I questioned the notion that we could rely on technology to solve the problems caused by technology. It seemed a slippery slope. But McDonald explores ways that using current technology could lead us out of the impending darkness.” Ron Verzuh reviews The Future is Now: Solving the Climate Crisis with Today’s Technologies, by Bob McDonald (Toronto: Penguin Canada, 2022) $23 / 9780735241961
2024 donors to the British Columbia Review, a thank you from Richard Mackie.